For the week of Sunday, May 16, 2021
Dear Friends:
As you may remember from Fr. Mike’s video a couple of weeks ago, we’ve been busy developing plans for Mass attendance and returning to our regular ministries at Pax Christi. These plans continue to be based on CDC and MDH guidance and our commitment to maintaining a healthy and safe environment for our parishioners and our staff.
I’m pleased to announce that this Saturday, May 15, the 5:00 p.m. Mass will reopen for in-person attendance. You will no longer need to pre-register online. We have prepared additional seating in the Hall of Martyrs and Dorothy Day. We will continue to follow distancing and masking protocols, and there will be a limit of about 300 people that can attend Mass in person while the distancing requirement remains in place. Sunday 9:00am Mass will continue in the same way as it has in recent months. People attending both Masses are asked to enter Pax Christi through Door 3 (the main entrance).
Starting this Saturday, you also will see a change in our seating protocols for Mass. Rows of pews and chairs will remain six feet apart; however, you now will have the freedom to sit where you wish. Ushers will be available but will not direct you to a specific pew or chair. There will be distance markers in the pews to help you maintain six feet of distance from those outside your household.
As we continue the process of coming back together, please remember to keep those joining you in worship in mind. If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 (cough, fever, shortness of breath, etc.) or have been exposed to COVID-19 in the last 14 days needs, please be sure to join us through Live Streamed Mass.
If you plan to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation this week, we invite you to celebrate with Fr. Mike at 4:00pm as usual, in the Thomas Merton Chapel. Please park by Door 3 (the main entrance) and wait in the hallway to the right leading to the Chapel for the person who is celebrating the sacrament to be finished, and then come forward to receive the sacrament.
We will also be moving the location of the Parking Lot Mass starting Sunday, May 16. This Mass will now be celebrated outside of Door 2 along the south side of the building. Attendees are asked to park facing the building, leaving the spaces adjacent to the sidewalk empty. We will continue distributing Holy Communion to our Parking Lot assembly as you remain in your cars at the end of Mass. Cars will be directed to line up at a designated spot to receive Communion, and then proceed out of the parking lot. Please wear your mask as you receive communion.
I’m also happy to share with you that on Tuesday, June 1, the day following the Memorial Day holiday, the doors will be unlocked during regular hours, and the parish office will be open to guests once again. Our volunteer receptionists will return to their posts.
For everyone’s safety, we will require that all volunteers who have contact with others be fully vaccinated. Our staff will be fully vaccinated at that time as well. Please watch for additional details in the weeks ahead as we prepare to welcome groups back into the building.
Fr. Mike, the trustees, and I will continue to monitor CDC and MDH guidance along with the Governor’s new orders while simultaneously giving prayerful consideration to the best next steps for Pax Christi. We’ll continue to keep you informed as these plans develop.
Carol Bishop
Parish Director
CLICK ON IMAGE BELOW FOR A VIDEO MESSAGE FROM FR. MIKE
FR. MIKE'S HOMILY BLOG
CLICK HERE to view Fr. Mike's blog.
MESSAGE FROM ARCHBISHOP HEBDA
A message of gratitude and community
CLICK HERE. to view Archbishop Hebda's video message
JOIN US FOR PRAYER AND WORSHIP
PLEASE NOTE THESE MASS UPDATES
While we continue to pray for an end to the pandemic, some incremental changes to our gatherings have been made. Until further notice:
- If you need to come to the parish office, please call 952-941-3150 to notify us of the time you will be coming. If at all possible, please try to come to the parish between the hours of 8:00am-noon, Monday thru Friday.
- We want to assure you that we continue taking all precautions to keep our building sanitized and safe. Your cooperation in doing your part to curb the spread of COVID-19 is vital to all for our well-being and health.
Effective immediately, preregistration is NOT required to attend Mass in person.
WEEKDAY MASS
Tuesdays ~ 8:30am on-site
Wednesdays ~ 8:30am on-site
Fridays ~ 8:30am on-site
Wednesdays ~ 8:30am on-site
Fridays ~ 8:30am on-site
WEEKEND MASS
Saturdays ~ 5:00pm Live Stream and on-site max in-person attendance 300 CLICK HERE TO VIEW LIVE STREAM
Sundays ~ 9:00am on-site max in-person attendance 300
Sundays ~ 12:00pm Parking Lot Mass CLICK FOR DETAILS -
*Starting Sunday, May 16, the Parking Lot Mass will move to the area outside of Door 2 on the south side of the building. Please click the link above for more details.
Sundays ~ 9:00am on-site max in-person attendance 300
Sundays ~ 12:00pm Parking Lot Mass CLICK FOR DETAILS -
*Starting Sunday, May 16, the Parking Lot Mass will move to the area outside of Door 2 on the south side of the building. Please click the link above for more details.
RECONCILIATION
*Starting Saturday, May 15, the celebration of Reconciliation will be moved to the Chapel inside Door 3 (the main entrance).
Fr. Mike will hear confessions at 4:00pm each Saturday inside in the Chapel. Those who wish to celebrate this sacrament can enter through door #3, and wait in the hallway to the right leading to the Chapel for the person who is celebrating the sacrament to be finished, and then come forward to receive the sacrament. Please wear a mask.
COVID-19 UPDATES
CLICK HERE to view schedules, updates, and resources during COVID-19.
REGULAR CONTRIBUTIONS
Thank you for your continued generosity!
Week of May 2:
Online Giving 32,788
Mailed Contributions 13,769
Total Week #44 46,557
Budget 55,000
Variance (8,443)
YTD Actual 2,052,225
YTD Budget 2,065,000
YTD Variance (12,775)
Your financial gifts make it possible for us to share the joy of Easter with our community and neighbors throughout the year. Thank you for your continued support to Pax Christi.
CLICK HERE for online giving.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CLICK HERE for all upcoming events and registration.
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH
You Are Not Alone
Each year millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental illness. During May, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) joins the national movement to raise awareness about mental health. Each year we fight stigma, provide support, educate the public and advocate for policies that support people with mental illness and their families. For 2021’s Mental Health Awareness Month, NAMI will continue to amplify the message of “You Are Not Alone.” Together, we can realize our shared vision of a nation where anyone affected by mental illness can get the appropriate support and quality of care to live healthy, fulfilling lives — a nation where no one feels alone in their struggle. For more information, please CLICK HERE.
FLANNERY O’CONNOR: THE STORY TELLER
An Adult Faith Formation Event via Zoom
Thursday, May 13, 7:00pm via Zoom
Flannery O'Connor's influence on contemporary culture, particularly literature and film, is profound. Her novels and short stories have been described as shocking, convoluted, funny, and violent, and they are filled with unforgettably strange characters. But they are also, from beginning to end, haunted by Christ. O'Connor radically changes our idea of what religious fiction can be. Her startling prose awakens us to sin and, consequently, to the need for salvation. We invite you to join the Lifelong Faith Formation Council for a 55-minute film screening of this recent release in Bishop Robert Barron’s Catholicism: Pivotal Players series, followed by small group discussion. CLICK HERE to register.
MOM'S ROCK VIRTUAL MONTHLY GATHERING
The upcoming event will be on Thursday, May 27, 8:00-9:30pm, via Zoom
Join the Mom's ROCK Community If you are looking for a way to connect with moms and caregivers, we invite you to join the Mom's ROCK virtual community. We meet monthly on Thursday evenings to pray, seek fellowship, and discuss God’s work in our lives as caregivers and friends. We will not have speakers this spring but will ponder a question or two and engage in sharing time. Come for one session or come for all! Everyone is welcome. Preregistration is required. “See” you soon! To register CLICK HERE.
SUMMER VIRTUAL BOOK CLUB
Julian of Norwich: Wisdom in a Time of Pandemic
Two ten-week options:
- Mondays beginning June 7, 6:30–8:00pm
- Tuesdays beginning June 8, 9:00–10:30am
This is a ten-week discussion group that will meet via Zoom in June and July. Popular spiritual writer Matthew Fox breaks open the wisdom of Julian of Norwich, who lived through the dreadful bubonic plague that killed close to 50% of Europeans. Being an anchoress, she 'sheltered in place' and developed a deep wisdom that she shared in her book, Showings. A theologian way ahead of her time, Julian develops a feminist understanding of God as mother at the heart of nature's goodness. Fox shares her teachings in this powerful and timely and inspiring book. There is no cost to participate, though all participants are responsible for obtaining their own copy of the book. CLICK HERE to register.
AT-HOME VACATION BIBLE CAMP
Kids of the Kingdom
August 2-6, $20/participant
Join the fun for another ‘backyard’ Bible Camp August 2-6! The camp, including scripture stories, crafts and snacks, is designed to do at your own convenience - outside or inside your home. You can customize the many activities to fit your own family’s needs. Curb-side pickup of materials will be available on July 29th from 9:00-11:00am.
New this summer, please join us for Family Night on August 4th from 6:30- 8:00pm! We will have a special guest and hopefully sing some favorite songs. Registration is available online at CLICK HERE. Our fee of $20.00 covers the cost of craft materials and the family fun night. Questions? Contact Renee Dignan at rdignan@paxchristi.com or 952-405-7212.
NEW VIRTUAL ART EXHIBIT
The Islamic Feminist Art of Hend-Al-Mansour
Available now through May 31 on the Pax Christi website
Available now through May 31 on the Pax Christi website
The Pax Christi Community was first introduced to the Art of Hend-Al-Mansour by her spouse, Dr. David Penchansky, a Professor Emeritus and biblical scholar from the University of St. Thomas. Dr. Penchansky was a lecturer on the Quran and the Bible for the Women with Spirit Bible Study.
Hend-Al-Mansour shared her thoughts and images for a “Morning of Reflection” retreat in 2019 on “The Three Faces of Mary” found in both the Bible and the Quran. Much interest was expressed in seeing Hend’s work at a Pax Christi art exhibit. We are pleased to present some of her spiritually based Islamic feminist art for the entire Pax Christi Community to reflect upon. CLICK HERE to view the virtual exhibit.
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